What are some polite ways to say "excuse me" or "sorry"

Mastering Essential Japanese Vocabulary at B1 Level: What are some polite ways to say "excuse me" or "sorry"

There are many polite ways to say “excuse me” or “sorry,” depending on the context. Here are some alternatives:

Polite Alternatives for “Excuse Me”

Pardon me: A formal way to ask for attention or forgiveness, e.g., “Pardon me, could you repeat that?”¹^{, 3}
I beg your pardon: Often used to ask for repetition or to express polite disagreement, e.g., “I beg your pardon, I didn’t catch that.”³^{, 5}
Sorry to bother you: Used when interrupting someone, e.g., “Sorry to bother you, but could you help me with this?”³^{, 5}
May I…: A polite way to request permission, e.g., “May I interrupt for a moment?”¹
If you’ll excuse me: Often used when leaving a conversation temporarily, e.g., “If you’ll excuse me, I need to take this call.”³
I hope you don’t mind: A softer way of interrupting or asking for something, e.g., “I hope you don’t mind my asking, but where is the restroom?”¹^{, 3}

I apologize: A formal and heartfelt expression of regret, e.g., “I apologize for being late.”²^{, 4}
My apologies: A formal way to express regret, e.g., “My apologies for the inconvenience.”³^{, 5}
Forgive me: Used when expressing regret for a mistake or interruption, e.g., “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to bump into you.”¹^{, 6}
Oops/My bad: Informal ways to acknowledge a mistake, e.g., “Oops, I didn’t mean to do that.”⁵
I’m sorry to hear that: Used to express empathy rather than personal fault, e.g., “I’m sorry to hear about your loss.”⁴

These phrases can be tailored based on the situation—whether you’re apologizing for an error, seeking someone’s attention, or politely interrupting.